Early last month I got a call from Andrew over at ROAD Magazine. They were doing a feature on Matt Accarrino, head chef of Michelin star restaurant SPQR, who also happens to be a bike racer and chef to select pro teams. The magazine wanted a number of portraits in a few different scenarios but there was a catch: they got a hold of me on Tuesday, Matt wouldn't be returning from a trip to Belgium until late that Wednesday, and it all had to get sent to the printer that Friday. We showed up at SPQR Thursday evening and knocked out a handful of different looks within an hour and a half, all during the prime of dinner hours. Here's some BTS of how it all went down:

We needed to let the sun set a little before shooting the the opener shot, so we started with a tight portrait that would run in the article. There was no space to spare inside the restaurant so we set up a studio out in the alley.

And here's what the magazine chose to ran.

Now onto getting the opener shot, with Matt out in front of the restaurant.

We somehow managed to take over the parking spot right out front, not an easy task anywhere in this city, and we able to get the space we needed for the shot.

A low shutter to let the ambient lights bleed in balanced with an Elinchrom ocota to light Matt and here's the shot we walked away with.

Lastly we needed a shot of Matt in action. It was pretty dark inside and we couldn't use lights as to not disturb the clients, so I mounted up my fastest lens and worked with what we had.

And here's how it all looks in print!

The best part of the shoot was being treated to an incredible dinner and a sampling of wine. Thanks to my assistant Morgan for the help on the day, Cat for additional help on site, Andrew at Road for the assignment, and of course Matt for being a great host and fantastic subject.